Alejandro Fernández is 47 years old, is from Tarragona, has a degree in Political Science, is married and is the father of three daughters, María (18), Blanca (14) and – from his second marriage – Mar (7).
What do you know about your grandparents?
Asturians from the mountains.
What did your parents do?
They arrived in Catalonia in 1974, at the age of 25, to work. My father was a road construction truck driver for 20 years.
What have they left you?
They are my absolute heroes. They came with nothing and their children studied at the university.
What do you remember from your childhood summers?
Like Heidi's, in the high mountains of Asturias.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Political. Since the age of ten.
Oh really?
My mother was a communist. My father, right-wing. And from a very young age I listened to them debate at home, before the News.
In your teenage bedroom, were there posters?
Epi and Laudrup. And a Metallica poster and a very large one of the singer Jim Morrison.
Did you wear long hair?
Yes. I wish I kept it!
How did you earn your first peseta for yourself?
I worked with my father on the Baix Llobregat highway, when I was 19, that summer. And four more.
And when did you enter politics?
When I had just turned 18, I went to the headquarters of the Popular Party of Tarragona and joined.
Do you live in an apartment or a chalet?
A two-story house in an urbanization. I live with my wife and my little daughter.
Any pets?
No. It is not the best to have them at home. And even less if you are missing a lot...
What excites you when you open your eyes every morning?
Throw in the independents of the Generalitat!
Do you have breakfast?
Bit. Coffee and a little something.
At night, when you get home, what is the first thing you do?
Playing with Mar, my little daughter. I am my daughter's doll.
What does your little daughter Mar ask of you?
“Lie down on the floor!” and he climbs on top. I'm her horse. And I am her student: she is a teacher and I am a little boy, Chenchín. I am a student with difficulties. And she teaches me with patience. And I cry if she turns out badly. She tells me “two plus two,” and I say “six.” And I cry. And she has fun.
Dinner later?
Bit.
Can you cook anything?
I cut the ham very well.
If you go out, what cocktail do you order?
A gin and tonic.
Have you given your wife anything lately?
Shoes and sneakers that I know are going to become fashionable.
Do you understand shoes?
A lot!
And what does she give you?
Books that I like, series... And nice shirts. Although I'm only interested in shoes. Look at these Lotus: 12 years...
And they look brand new!
Because I take great care of them.
His favorites are...
Some Church shoes, English shoes: they cost 600 euros, but I bought them online for 120 euros!
Do you hate something?
I hate cruelty to children. It's the only thing that upsets me.
Would it kill?
I can't tell you that, but childhood is sacred. Anyone who didn't have a happy childhood... it shows!
What school does your daughter go to?
In Lestonnac de Tarragona, a charter school.
What would you like me to study?
Sings very well!
Change something about your body.
I would lose a few kilos. But you must accept yourself, or you have a problem.
What do you prefer about your body?
Personality matters more.
How are you doing with humility?
Humility is that you assume that you will not be able to save the world.
Just not making it worse is enough.
Some believe they are saviors.
How much do you earn per year?
Ninety-odd thousand.
How many hours a week do you hire domestic help?
Three days a week; in total, between six and eight hours.
Do you have a second residence?
No. A house inherited from my father in Asturias, now fallen.
Of your possessions, which would hurt you the most to part with?
Of my 2,000 albums. And many books and more films: I would be very sad to part with them!
What would you do if you got three million euros today?
I would help three or four people nearby. And I would repair my father's house in Asturias.
Health, okay?
Well, I hardly ever get sick.
Euthanasia, in favor?
If you are in full power and convey that desire, there is debate. The monstrous thing is to decide for another. Don't play God!
I don't even ask him about the abortion.
Penalizing women is not the way. It is essential to have information. If you and I had been aborted... we wouldn't be here!
What is there after death?
I am a believer. But I am not able to give you a precise answer to this. And that is faith.
¿Reza?
I pray when things go wrong. I should say thank you. I fail at that.
Bless the table?
My little daughter does it. And sometimes we pray the Lord's Prayer together, we sing it in Catalan.
Meditate?
No. I don't believe in that, with respect.
Have you thought about his funeral?
Like my father, they will cremate me and scatter my ashes in the mountains of Asturias.
Do you listen to Alejandro Fernández, the Mexican singer?
No. Better Rufus Wainwright.
Has any book left its mark on you?
As a child, Moby Dick. And Stefan Zweig: I read Humankind's Highlights when I was 15. And I love reading Houellebecq.
Let's go to the cinema?
The Great Beauty, by Sorrentino. Cronenberg, Lynch... And a western from John Ford or Howard Hawks never fails.
Do you do sports?
I have climbed mountains of more than 2,000 meters in Spain.
What trip do you have pending?
China, Mongolia, Caucasus...
What is your favorite drug?
The Asturian fabada.
Did you try any joints?
“Not yet,” said Boris Johnson: it is a funny answer.
Did you try sex with a man?
Not yet. And I think things are fine the way they are.
Has any motto inspired you?
“Struggle gives meaning to life, not victory,” by Reagan.
If not Catalan, what?
I am very Tarragona! Tarragona is a magical city. Its light is unique! And their beaches...
Do you practice nudism?
It's not my thing.
